2. On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, about 20 minutes (stir after the first 10 minutes).

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta as directed on the box. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

4. Toss the pasta with the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes and the pasta water. Stir. Top with the Parmesan Cheese. Enjoy.

4.17.2013

As I've mentioned before, I have the worlds best sister in law. Sorry to all the other sister in laws but she really is the best. She is awesome for many reasons but today lets talk about her gift giving ability.

I think gift giving is really stressful. Anyone else?

I'm always searching for that perfect gift that is thoughtful and unique.

When my sister in law gifted me a 3 month subscription to Birchbox shortly after giving birth I thought what a perfect gift! I loved getting the box in the mail every month and couldn't wait to see what was in it.

Now we can't forget our four legged friends! Barkbox is the equivelent to Birchbox but for doggies!

How cute is that? What a perfect gift for someone with a new pup, or a sick pup, or a pup that needs some extra attention because there is a baby in the house now (poor Marley).

They really do think of everything these days.

Photo from www.barkbox.com

Wait there is more! Citrus Lane is the latest gift from the sister in law. It was Atlas' Easter present. I know, I told you she is awesome. It's a box wit baby items (age appropriate) and mom items. We get our first box in May and we can't wait. Okay Atlas has no clue but I'm sure he will love it when it gets here.

During my nightly Pinterest session I stumbled upon this recipe and had to try it.

I use to LOVE me some Fettuccine Alfredo but stopped eating it because I always felt so guilty afterwards.

Not anymore folks.

Ingredients:

- 1 Spaghetti Squash

- 1 tablespoon of butter

- 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour

- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic

- 1 tablespoon cream cheese (room temp)

- 1 1/2 cups milk

- 1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

- Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Poke a few holes deep into the squash with a large knife. Place squash on baking sheet and bake for 60 minutes. Let squash cool for 10-20 minutes after baking. Cut in half length wise then scoop out the seedy inside leaving the "spaghetti strands." Use a fork to gently scrape the "spaghetti strands" into the middle.

2. Melt the butter in a sauce pan. When melted add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring. Stir in the cream cheese then the milk. Bring mixture to a simmer and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan Cheese and season with salt and pepper.

3. Pour Alfredo sauce over each squash half and gently stir. Sprinkle with a little more Parmesan Cheese and place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes until golden and bubbly.

*I used low-fat cream cheese and milk to make it lighter.

*One spaghetti squash is plenty for two people but this recipe can easily be doubled if preparing two squash.

Directions:
1. Put the chicken, diced onion, celery, and garlic in the crock pot Pour in the chicken stock. It should cover the chicken breast, if not, add water. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
2. After 4 hours, remove the chicken. Keep 1/3 cup of the cooking broth and discard the rest. Shred chicken and return to crock pot. Add the 1/3 cup of cooking broth as well as 1/3 cup hot sauce. Cook on high for 30 minutes.
3. Place shredded chicken in a lettuce leaf and top with your choice of condiments (blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese dressings, ranch dressing, celery, carrots, etc...) Roll it up and enjoy!

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine Nutella and 1 teaspoon canola oil in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring every time.
3. Combine 3 tablespoons canola oil, butter, brown sugar, and bananas in a large bowl. Beat at medium-high speed until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Beating at low speed, add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
5. Pour half of the batter into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan. Top with the melted Nutella mixture. Pour remaining batter over Nutella. Using a toothpick, swirl batter.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

* If you don't have buttermilk on hand you can always make your own by pouring 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup then add enough milk to bring the liquid measurement to 1 cup. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. Then just use whatever amount the recipe calls for and discard the remaining.

2.25.2013

I cooked a pot roast the other day. It was yummy. I always misjudge the amount of meat I need. I was cooking for 4 people but I bought enough meat to feed The Duggars. Do you guys do that? I also bought way too much fresh rosemary. I started to feel really bad about all that sweet delicious rosemary left unused in my fridge but then I remembered this recipe and suddenly didn't feel so bad anymore. So, I made a batch, and then I made another batch, and then I made one more batch. Oops. In my defense I did give 2 batches as gifts because I'm nice like that.